Kelli at There’s No Place Like Home hosts “Show and Tell Friday” asking “Do you have a something special to share with us? It could be a trinket from grade school, a piece of jewelry, an antique find. Your show and tell can be old or new. Use your imagination and dig through those old boxes in your closet if you have to! Feel free to share pictures and if there’s a story behind your special something, that’s even better! If you would like to join in, all you have to do is post your “Show and Tell” on your blog, copy the post link, come over here and add it to Mr. Linky. Guidelines are here.
Last week Kelli suggested that this week we “show and tell” about things we have made. I was going to show this when I was done, but I thought I would go ahead and show you my latest work in progress.
This is the first cross stitch I have done in at least…15 years or more, I think. Many of you know that I have been having to keep my foot elevated off and on since January due to cellulitis, so I decided to do something productive with that time (though sometimes I sleep, watch TV, or read during that time). There are multitudes of mistakes in this, mainly due to miscounting, but I don’t think they’re noticeable unless you were comparing it with the pattern. The ol’ eyes aren’t what they used to be!! But I am enjoying it immensely and kicking myself for letting so much time pass without getting back into this.
The title of this pattern is “Take Tine To Be Holy” — a good reminder!
I think I’ve already shown most other things I have on hand that I have made, but here is a quick “rerun.”
Someone asked how I made this button wreath. I told more about it here, but basically I just cut the shape out of cardboard and glued the button on with a hot glue gun, using the flat, plain buttons as a base and then the decorative buttons on top.
This was made some 23 years ago when my first baby was expected or maybe after he was born. It’s put away now since all my babies are taller than I am. 😦 But it was one of my favorite pieces.
I made the lampshade here, not the cross stitch — that was a gift from a niece. Someone asked in the comments how I made it. I wrote more about it here, but it was in a class. At the time there were patterns for how to cut out the shade plus a pattern for the decorative part available at craft stores, then an Exacto knife was used around the edges of the leaves and they were bent in a little so the light would shine through. Then the shade was glued to the top and bottom rings. I saw lampshade-making paraphernalia at Michaels’ a while back, but it was more designed for gluing fabric onto it. I googled “pierced lampshade” just now to see if patterns were still sold and got mainly places where you could buy already-made ones, but then I Googled “pattern for pierced lampshade” and found a few sources, so they’re still out there. This particular pattern was from an instruction booklet titled “Shades of Yesteryear” by Marion Pond, and I did find a copy of it just now on eBay.
And lastly:
Well, God made them…I just carried them 😀
(This post was updated to answer questions from the comments section.)
Stray Thoughts 
Great cross stitch…and I LOVE the button piece! Are the buttons sewn on, glued on…and what is the base? So pretty! Did you make it? Cute pic of your boys too!
Your cross stitch are so lovely. And your button heart looks wonderful! Thanks!
Ruuta
I really adore the heart shaped button collection.
What talent! What talent!! Bravo. Now tell me………how on EARTH is that lampshade done? That’s so unique and just astoundingly beautiful. Quite ‘antiquish’…I wanna do this too.
And your LAST ‘made’ treasure is the best!! Can’t beat that in any way, shape, or form.
My SnT this week is Native American Jewelry. I also added a book review this morning too, so scroll down below the review for commenting. Happy Friday to you…….
Beautiful work on all of them! I just love that button wreath! Very creative, Barbara!
Wow… Barbara – your cross stitching is coming along nicely! And the other treasures you have made — all I can say is Wow, and that you are talented!
God bless!
I LOVE to cross-stitich but haven’t picked up a need le in a very long time! I got burned out doing an enormous picture for my best friend! I used to do it in the car when we travelled but I have to AMEN the eyes comment. Too hard to count and not make goofs when you’re bouncing down the road!
Connie
Wonderful needlework wish i could do the same!!!!!
This was a great post! I do love to see the crafts that other people have made! Sadly, I have not done MUCH crafting since I discovered the stupid computer! A little here and there – but most of my time for ME is spent here now! I will say I can’t even IMAGINE doing counted cross stitch anymore! I would have a hard enough time doing a STAMPED cross stitch I think! My hands don’t handle a needle and thread quite the way they used to! Gettin’ old stinks… LOL! I do think the bottom photo is your finest creation! But of course – you had good help!!!
Melli, one thing I like about rediscovering cross stitch is that I can do it with all the family around, unlike when I am reading, which tends to shut them out. My two oldest usually have their laptops (that they got for graduation) out when they’re in the family room and frequently show or read out to us something they’ve found. I like that we’re all together even when we’re doing different things. I also have it out when we’re watching TV — well, except when Lost is on. 😀
Your Precious Moments cross stitch looks just like one I had hanging in my room as a child. Beautiful work, all of them!
Oh I love your Show and Tell. I always forget the theme! Thanks for stopping over and looking at my couch project. I am not intimidated by it at all I just need to stop doing other things and get it done. I gets put on the backburner because it is just something I want to do not something that needs to be done!
I keep letting things I need to do get in the way!
BTW I love your button wreath and I’ll look at your other post about.
I just adored the way you ended your post. What lovely young men you have. Congratulations.
Come by and see me again. And thanks for stopping by.
Have a Blessed Weekend.
Sherry
All of the things here are beautiful. You are very talented. Your sons are very handsome.
Thank you for stopping by and commenting on my bird music box and my auntie’s health. Have a wonderful weekend.
Blessings,
Mary
I hope your leg gets better soon. The cross stitch will surely make the time go by faster. Your button wreath is very cute.
Wow! You are very crafty! I think my favorite is the button wreath. I should make something like that, since I love buttons so.
Your boys look happy. 🙂
I love the last photo! You sure helped in making them the adults they are today!
You are very talented! I’m afraid I get frustrated with my cross stitch mistakes and give up… often!
How lovely, Barbara…and what a handsome group of sons! 🙂
I used to cross-stitch some…I really enjoyed it…but I haven’t done it in years.
Thank you so much for stopping by my site, and for sharing all of these delightful treasures with us! I enjoyed visiting your blog today. Blessings ~ Heather
Beautiful boys you have!! I’m partial to them since I have 2 myself. 🙂
What wonderful handmades! I enjoy cross-stitching also but haven’t done it in a few years. It takes time and patience, but it is worth it in the end. Your other crafts are just great also! Have a great weekend!
I remember the button one now but had forgotten. I would still like to try and do that one. As for cross stitch, I have just learned how and I’m not very good at it. I’ve attempted several that I abandoned but have finished several simple ones. I enjoy doing it whether the finished project is worth displaying or not. My daughter has been doing it for years and hers looks as good on the back as the front. I love the Precious Moments one you’re doing. The bookmarks are precious too. Did you make them like cards?
But the last picture is the masterpiece. That’s was in my Bible study today, how we are His masterpieces, He made the brushstrokes and the frame.
Thanks for sharing.
You are multi-talented. thanks for sharing.
Nancy
Thats funny! Ha Ha! You have Lots of sweet talent,
but my favorite is the sweet button heart!
What beautiful things you have made. I’ve cross-stitched some Precious Moments pictures, so I know they take a lot of time, but they are well worth it. Thanks for sharing all your lovely things.
Such lovely treasures, Barbara! You are making great progress on the cross-stitch and your boys are so handsome!
~Kelli
You and god did a great job on those boys they are so handsome. What a little crafter you are I love your projects. The button heart is so sweet. I have seen lampshades like yours. Your cross stitch projects are beautiful I love the one with the bears. I never had enough patience for cross stitch. Thanks for showing us.
Roxy
The cross-stitches you made were beautiful! Looks like you and God made great boys! 😉
Love the button crafted heart.
LOL at the cleverness of your caption to go with the last picture!
I’m just surfin’ around, Barbara, and thought I’d stop by to say, “hi,” and also (in case I didn’t already–I can’t remember) thank you for listing my blog awhile back on the Sharper Iron website. A family friend/pastor found my blog that way…small world, I guess.
I love your button wreath. What a lovely idea!
These are all so nice, I esp like the button wreath, maybe I’ll try it, too! Your sons are wonderful! I only have one (and 4 daughters) they are treasures, aren’t they?